Solid Silver Hanau By Wilhelm Weinranck, Hanau, Late 19th Century

Solid silver hanap by Wilhelm Weinranck, Hanau, late 19th century Exceptional covered hanap in solid silver, made in Hanau towards the end of the 19th century by the silversmith Wilhelm Weinranck, whose hallmark is clearly visible under the lid. A masterpiece of neo-Renaissance goldsmithing, this spectacular piece, 60 cm high and weighing 2 kg, embodies as much a decorative tradition as a symbol of transmission and family prestige. Intended for the table of a patriarch, a head of the family or a notable, the hanap was historically a solemn piece, offered during important events (marriage, birthday, accession to an office), and used as a drinking vessel on special occasions. The iconography of this hanap accentuates this honorific dimension: it is surmounted by a full-length female figure, probably embodying an allegory of beauty, peace or fertility, traits traditionally associated with domestic prosperity and harmony in the home. The lid is adorned with smooth half-sphere decorations and set with colored stones, including garnets, tiger's eyes, and dark cabochons, surrounding stylized palmettes. The domed body of the hanap is chiseled with winged cherubs in relief, inserted between leafy scrolls and twisted columns. The highly architectural shaft is adorned with grotesque heads, satyrs, and figures in the round, in an iconography combining humanism and protective force. The richly decorated base is punctuated with semi-precious stone cabochons and motifs of double-headed eagles, an imperial symbol highly prized in Germanic noble circles. The finely crafted and technically virtuoso ensemble is part of the Hanoverian historicist tradition, where goldsmiths like Weinranck excelled in recreating ceremonial pieces inspired by the German Renaissance, intended for a wealthy or aristocratic clientele. Characteristics: • Origin: Hanau, Germany • Period: Late 19th century (circa 1880–1900) • Goldsmith: Wilhelm Weinranck (hallmark visible under the lid) • Material: Solid silver and semi-precious stones • Height: 60 cm • Weight: 2 kg • Style: German Neo-Renaissance • Decoration: Female figure, cherubs, grotesque heads, cabochons, eagles, foliage • Function: Ceremonial piece intended for a head of family or notable, used as a drinking cup on special occasions